Brain Food: How to Choose a Diet That Will Keep You Focused

The foods you eat have a direct impact on your weight and your energy level, but did you know that your diet can also affect the way your brain functions?

If you’re having trouble with feeling mentally drained or even sleepy throughout the day, you should take a look at the foods you eat. Here are six of the healthiest foods to add to your diet to help keep you focused.

Blueberries

Image via Flickr by Jennifer C.

Loaded with antioxidants, blueberries are so good for you that they were given the nickname “brainberries” by Dr. Steven Pratt, author of Superfoods Rx: Fourteen Proven Foods to Change Your Life. Blueberries are known for improving memory, and they can also increase your ability to learn. Blueberries are easy to add to your diet in smoothies or just by snacking on a half cup of raw berries.

Turmeric

Turmeric is the distinctive yellow-orange spice found commonly in Asian and Middle Eastern cooking, and it’s becoming a star superfood because of its impressive health benefits.

Turmeric can easily be added to your diet via supplements, or you can just add it to the healthy meals you already prepare. It doesn’t take very much to realize the brain-boosting benefits of turmeric. Keep a small shaker ready to add a light dusting of turmeric to your food instead of salt. Since it can increase your brain’s oxygen intake, turmeric helps you stay mentally sharp throughout the day. A half teaspoon of turmeric is a good total amount for the day.

Broccoli

Broccoli is always on the list of foods you should add to your diet. When it comes to improving your brain function, broccoli has you covered because it’s full of vitamin K.

Vitamin K helps your brain work better, while the choline in broccoli is good for your memory. Glucosinolates in broccoli have been shown to help keep memory function strong and give the brain an overall boost. As an added bonus, the folic acid in broccoli works to stave off Alzheimer’s Disease.

Keto Supplements

You’ve probably heard talk about the keto diet. The idea behind it is to put your body into a state of ketosis by increasing ketones in your bloodstream. This means your body is burning fat for energy which helps you lose weight. Increasing ketones with an exogenous ketone supplement can also help improve your ability to focus.

Walnuts

Studies have shown that walnuts can improve inferential reasoning in young adults. Walnuts can be raw or roasted—the health benefits are the same. You can easily add chopped walnuts to salads or have whole walnuts as a satisfying snack. A serving of walnuts is about a quarter of a cup.

Your diet affects your brain function and has an impact on your energy level throughout the day. Try adding these foods to your diet to help keep you focused.